I am appreciative today, as I am on most days, of the many basic things that keep me safe and comfortable. I have a nice home, and my landlords keep a well-stocked pile of firewood, so I am able to have a fireplace fire anytime I like. My family is healthy and we have many things we enjoy which are not basic necessities. I have professors who ( Read more... )

So I spent today doing mostly school work (slides for presentation on Tuesday).  But the monotony was broken up by 3 visits, which were all here together at one point.  This is a rare occurrence here at casa Bachteler-Bissell, but it was a pleasant diversion.  Tim and Desiree came over so I could put some green in her hair, and Tim fixed the Linux ( Read more... )

I am no happy camper today. In Electromechanics class, which is supposed to begin preparing me for a career in energy engineering/power systems, I have the following exam grades so far: 100, 55, 50. One exam grade gets dropped, so as of now that will be the 50 that I got on today's exam. Then, on top of all that, if I get 100 on the final (which ( Read more... )

I would like to know how to make an animated GIF.  Just for fun.  Is it easy?  Do I need any programs?  If anyone who can do this wants to help, please let me know.

I am done with this round of final exams!  PARTY!!!

For some reason I am able to drink coffee again.  I haven't had any stomach aches or sleeping problems.  This is nice because I like coffee.  I'm not sure why it's not bothering me, perhaps it's the type of coffee, perhaps it's not having it after noon, perhaps I'm super-relaxed from doing lots of Tai Chi.  I dunno but I like it!

Natasha Richardson died today.

"War On Terror" Detainee speaks out.

In a sudden burst of kitchen enthusiasm, I created a mega-yummy meal for us tonight.  On the menu was:

• Halibut steak, pan-seared and then finished in the oven, cooked in lime butter and topped with toasted peanuts and hemp seeds.  (super-mega-yum!)
• Stuffed portabella mushrooms
• Soybean sprouts sauteed in Smart Balance and Bragg's (for the boy)
• Steamed ( Read more... )

Tonight I made Pad Thai noodles for dinner, following this online recipe.  It came out nicely.  I substituted sushi vinegar (which is sweetened) for the tamarind, and used only 1-1/2 Tbs. sugar.  Also, instead of crushed red pepper I used a little Sriracha sauce--I wanted to go easy for my son, he's not fond of super-spicy food.  Mistakes I made ( Read more... )